FR Observation Car No.150 out-shopped from Boston Lodge Carriage Works two days ago. It's to go on a promotional tour around UK whilst a matching service car is built – first stop Paddington Station in London.

The number 150 has been chosen as the construction of this carriage marks the 150th anniversary of the start of passenger services on the FR.

Super Saloons cost around £100,000 to build, so the Service Car must have cost around £150,000.

There's a third Super Saloon under construction at the moment, with another to come next winter. All four are replacements for 'tin cars', built cheaply in the 1970s on secondhand under-frames from the Isle of Man Railway, which no longer meet the standards of comfort needed for longish journeys on the FR and WHR. All four have been sold on to smaller railways elsewhere in UK for re-use.

I think just the sight of the 150 at Paddington will tell someone everything they need to know about the quality if both the car and the organization that built her. It makes a truly eloquent statement!